US20110172038A1 - Batting tool and ball-game bat - Google Patents
Batting tool and ball-game bat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110172038A1 US20110172038A1 US12/755,497 US75549710A US2011172038A1 US 20110172038 A1 US20110172038 A1 US 20110172038A1 US 75549710 A US75549710 A US 75549710A US 2011172038 A1 US2011172038 A1 US 2011172038A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- barrel
- handle
- joint
- connector
- support hole
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
- A63B59/50—Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/06—Handles
- A63B60/08—Handles characterised by the material
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/18—Baseball, rounders or similar games
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
- A63B2209/02—Characteristics of used materials with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
- A63B2209/023—Long, oriented fibres, e.g. wound filaments, woven fabrics, mats
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/06—Handles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/06—Handles
- A63B60/10—Handles with means for indicating correct holding positions
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a batting tool and a ball-game bat.
- a ball-game bat such as a baseball bat generally includes a handle grasped by a player and a barrel to hit a ball.
- ball-game bats are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-312911 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 3529966. These bats have a handle and a barrel that are separately made and are joined together. By selecting materials, the bats have durability for repetition of hitting or light weight for high batting speed.
- the related arts form the bat by fitting a tapered outer diameter part of the handle into a tapered inner diameter part of the barrel and by fastening the handle and barrel to each other or bonding them together.
- the related arts have a weakness in joint strength between the handle and the barrel.
- a stress concentration occurs along the joint between the handle and the barrel, to loosen the coupling of the tapered outer and inner diameter parts, bend the bat at the joint, or cause a rattle. If the bat receives a longitudinal compressive shock, the tapered outer and inner diameter parts will come out of joint so that the handle comes into the barrel.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a bat having a sufficient joint strength between a handle and a barrel.
- an aspect of the present invention provides a batting tool including a handle having a handle joint, a barrel having a barrel joint and a barrel joint opening at an end of the barrel joint, and a connector connecting the handle joint and barrel joint together.
- the barrel joint has a first support hole formed proximal to the barrel joint opening, a second support hole formed distal to the barrel joint opening and having a larger diameter than the first support hole, and a receiver formed between the first and second support holes.
- the connector has a handle connection connected to the handle joint, a first barrel connection formed on an outer periphery of the connector and engaging with the first support hole, a second barrel connection formed on the outer periphery of the connector and engaging with the second support hole, a stopper formed between the first and second barrel connections, and an outer fastener engaging with a periphery of the barrel joint opening and being tightened to press the stopper and receiver to each other.
- bending force applied to the joint between the handle and the barrel is tenaciously received by the jointing between the first and second support holes of the barrel and the first and second barrel connections of the connector fixed to the handle, the firm contact between the receiver of the barrel and the stopper of the connector, and the engagement between the periphery of the barrel joint opening of the barrel and the outer fastener of the connector.
- the batting tool according to this aspect has an improved joint strength against bending force applied to the joint between the handle and the barrel.
- a longitudinal compressive shock applied to the batting tool is received by the attachment between the periphery of the barrel joint opening of the barrel and the outer fastener of the connector.
- the batting tool according to this aspect has an improved joint strength against a compressive shock applied to the bat.
- FIG. 1 is a general view illustrating a ball-game bat according to a first embodiment of the present invention with a cap and a knob omitted;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view partly illustrating the bat of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of the bat of Fig. I;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of a ball-game bat according to a second embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 5A is a side view illustrating a connector of the bat of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 5B is a 90-degree-turned view of FIG. 5A ;
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of a ball-game bat according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional view illustrating a connector of a ball-game bat according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is an exploded sectional view illustrating a connector of a ball-game bat according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is an exploded sectional view illustrating a connector of a ball-game bat according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a ball-game bat according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention with a cap and a knob omitted;
- FIG. 11 is an exploded sectional view illustrating the bat of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of the bat of FIG. 10 .
- Ball-game bats having connectors to improve joint strength between a handle and a barrel according to embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a general view of the bat with a cap and a knob omitted
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the bat
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part of the bat.
- the bat 1 as a batting tool has a handle 3 and a barrel 5 .
- the handle 3 and barrel 5 are joined together through a connector 7 .
- the handle 3 and barrel 5 each are a hollow pipe and are optionally made of different materials or the same material.
- the handle 3 and barrel 5 are made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum alloy, stainless steel, duralumin, FRP, scandium alloy, and titanium alloy.
- the handle 3 may be made of FRP and the barrel 5 may be made of aluminum alloy.
- the handle 3 has a handle joint 9 .
- the barrel 5 has a barrel joint 11 at which a barrel joint opening 13 is formed.
- the connector 7 is connected and fitted to the handle joint 9 , and through the connector 7 , the handle joint 9 is fixed to the barrel joint 11 .
- the handle 3 has an end part 3 a having predetermined inner and outer diameters.
- the handle 3 gradually widens from an end of the end part 3 a toward the handle joint 9 . Accordingly, the handle joint 9 has a widening shape.
- the barrel 5 has a body part 5 a on a front end side of the barrel 5 .
- the body part 5 a is a pipe having predetermined inner and outer diameters.
- a tapered part 5 b is formed adjoining the body part 5 a that leads to the barrel joint 11 in the handle 3 side.
- a front end of the body part 5 a has a hole 5 c for fitting a cap.
- the barrel joint 11 has a first support hole 17 , a second support hole 19 , and a receiver 21 on an inner periphery thereof.
- the first support hole 17 is proximal to the barrel joint opening 13 and has a predetermined inner diameter from the barrel joint opening 13 .
- the first support hole 17 is concentric with the barrel 5 .
- the second support hole 19 is on a deeper side with respect to the first support hole 17 and is distal to the barrel joint opening 13 .
- the second support hole 19 has a larger diameter than the first support hole 17 and is concentric with the barrel 5 .
- a tapered guide hole 23 is formed between the second support hole 19 and the tapered part 5 b.
- the receiver 21 is formed between the first and second support holes 17 and 19 and is a face orthogonal to an axis of the first and second support holes 17 and 19 , i.e., an axis of the barrel 5 .
- the barrel joint opening 13 has an end face 13 a that is orthogonal to the axis of the first and second support holes 17 and 19 , i.e., the axis of the barrel 5 .
- the connector 7 has a cylindrical shape and has a handle connection 25 , a first barrel connection 27 , a second barrel connection 29 , a stopper 31 , and an outer fastener 33 .
- the handle connection 25 is formed on an inner periphery of the connector 7 and is a tapered hole having an inner diameter to fit the handle joint 9 of the handle 3 .
- An axial inner end of the connector 7 has a bent 7 c that is formed by spinning.
- the bent 7 c functions as an inner fastener that axially engages with and pushes a front end of the handle 3 so as to fit and fasten the handle connection 25 to the handle joint 9 . This aligns the axis of the handle 3 with the axis of the connector 7 through the tapers.
- the first barrel connection 27 is formed on an outer periphery of the connector 7 and has an outer diameter to radially engage with an inner periphery of the first support hole 17 and be tightly fitted into the first support hole 17 of the barrel 5 .
- the first barrel connection 27 is concentric with the handle connection 25 .
- the second barrel connection 29 is formed on the outer periphery of the connector 7 and has an outer diameter to radially engage with an inner periphery of the second support hole 19 and be tightly fitted into the second support hole 19 of the barrel 5 .
- the second barrel connection 29 is concentric with the handle connection 25 .
- the stopper 31 is formed between the first and second barrel connections 27 and 29 and is a face orthogonal to the axis of the connector 7 .
- the stopper 31 is pressed to the receiver 21 of the barrel 5 .
- the outer fastener 33 includes an outer external thread 33 a and a lock nut 33 b.
- the thread 33 a is formed along an outer end circumference of the connector 7 that axially outwardly protrudes from the barrel joint opening 13 and is continuous to the first barrel connection 27 .
- the lock nut 33 b has a fastening end face 33 ba orthogonal to an axis of the lock nut 33 b.
- the lock nut 33 b has an outer circumferential face whose diameter is equal to an outer diameter of the barrel joint 11 of the barrel 5 and whose section is circular.
- the lock nut 33 b axially engages with the end face 13 a that is a periphery of the barrel joint opening 13 .
- the lock nut 33 b is fastened to the thread 33 a so that the end face 33 ba is axially pressed to the end face 13 a and so that the stopper 31 is axially pressed to the receiver 21 .
- the outer fastener 33 may be replaced with caulking.
- the connector 7 with the lock nut 33 b removed is fitted to the handle joint 9 of the handle 3 and the bent 7 c is formed by spinning.
- the bent 7 c serves as an inner fastener that axially pushes the front end of the handle 3 , thereby joining the handle connection 25 and handle joint 9 together.
- the end part 3 a of the handle 3 is inserted into the hole 5 c at the front end of the barrel 5 and the connector 7 is fitted into the barrel joint 11 , so that the first and second barrel connections 27 and 29 are fitted into the first and second support holes 17 and 19 and the stopper 31 is pressed to the receiver 21 .
- the tapered guide hole 23 makes the insertion easy.
- the lock nut 33 b is fastened to the thread 33 a of the connector 7 that protrudes from the barrel joint opening 13 of the barrel 5 .
- the lock nut 33 b is tightened up to the end face 13 a of the barrel joint opening 13 , so that the stopper 31 is pressed to the receiver 21 .
- the bat 1 includes the handle 3 having the handle joint 9 , the barrel 5 having the barrel joint 11 and the barrel joint opening 13 at an end of the barrel joint 11 , and the connector 7 connecting the handle joint 9 and barrel joint 11 together.
- the barrel joint 11 has the first support hole 17 formed proximal to the barrel joint opening 13 , the second support hole 19 formed distal to the barrel joint opening 13 and having a larger diameter than the first support hole 17 , and the receiver 21 formed between the first and second support holes 17 and 19 orthogonal to the axis of the holes 17 and 19 .
- the connector 7 has the handle connection 25 connected to the handle joint 9 , the first barrel connection 27 connected to the first support hole 17 , the second barrel connection 29 connected to the second support hole 19 , the stopper 31 formed between the first and second barrel connections 27 and 29 orthogonal to the axis of the connections 27 and 29 , and the outer fastener 33 having the thread 33 a and lock nut 33 b and attached to the periphery of the barrel joint opening 13 , the thread 33 a and lock nut 33 b of the outer fastener 33 being fastened to each other to press the stopper 31 and receiver 21 to each other.
- bending force applied between the handle 3 and the barrel 5 is received by the coupling of the first and second support holes 17 and 19 and first and second barrel connections 27 and 29 and by the load bearing between the receiver 21 and the stopper 31 .
- the load bearing between the receiver 21 and the stopper 31 is achieved when the receiver 21 and stopper 31 lean to each other and circumferentially press each other due to the bending force.
- the bat 1 according to the first embodiment improves strength at the joint between the handle 3 and the barrel 5 against the bending force and longitudinal compressive shock applied to the bat 1 .
- the receiver 21 , stopper 31 , end face 33 ba, and end face 13 a are orthogonal to the axes of the handle 3 and barrel 5 , and therefore, the axes of the handle 3 and barrel 5 never cross each other. This makes it easy to carry out the centering of the handle 3 and barrel 5 .
- the barrel 5 has the cap (not illustrated), and therefore, any one of the barrel 5 and handle 3 is replaceable with another. This is advantageous when the barrel 5 or the handle 3 is damaged, or when testing a different batting feeling with different material, or when changing the weight of the bat 1 .
- the handle joint 9 of the handle 3 has a tapered shape engaging with the tapered hole of the handle connection 25 of the connector 7 .
- the connector 7 has the bent 7 c to press the front end of the handle 3 so that the handle connection 25 may tightly engage with the handle joint 9 .
- the bat 1 according to the first embodiment therefore, has improved strength at the joint between the handle 3 and the connector 7 against the bending force and longitudinal compressive shock applied to the bat 1 .
- the outer fastener 33 has the thread 33 a formed on the connector 7 and the lock nut 33 b fastened to the thread 33 a.
- the stopper 31 is pressed to the receiver 21 .
- the end face 33 ba of the lock nut 33 b is tightly pressed to the end face 13 a of the barrel joint opening 13 , to easily press the stopper 31 to the receiver 21 .
- FIGS. 4 , 5 A, and 5 B A ball-game bat according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 , 5 A, and 5 B in which FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of the bat, FIG. 5A is a side view illustrating a connector of the bat, and FIG. 5B is a 90-degree-turned view of FIG. 5A .
- the second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks or the same reference marks plus “A” to omit a repetition of explanations.
- the bat 1 A according to the second embodiment includes a connector 7 A having a projection 35 .
- a recess 37 is formed on a first support hole 17 of a barrel joint 11 A of a barrel 5 .
- the engaging projection 35 and recess 37 prevent the connector 7 A and barrel 5 from turning relative to each other. It is possible to form the recess 37 on the connector 7 A and the projection 35 on the barrel joint 11 A.
- the second embodiment provides one of the barrel joint 11 A of the barrel 5 and the connector 7 A with the projection 35 and the other thereof with the recess 37 , to prevent the barrel 5 and connector 7 A from turning relative to each other.
- the number of the pair of the projection 35 and recess 37 may be two or more instead of one.
- the second embodiment prevents a relative turn of the barrel 5 and connector 7 A, thereby improving joint strength between them, or between the barrel 5 and a handle 3 .
- the second embodiment provides the effect of the first embodiment.
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating an essential part of the bat.
- the third embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks or the same reference marks plus “B” to omit a repetition of explanations.
- a first support hole 17 of a barrel joint 11 B of a barrel 5 has an internal thread 39 that engages with an inner external thread 41 formed on a first barrel connection 27 B of a connector 7 B.
- the thread 41 has a larger diameter than an outer external thread 33 a.
- the thread 41 is engaged with the thread 39 to press a stopper 31 to a receiver 21 and a lock nut 33 b is engaged with the thread 33 a, to provide an effect of double nuts.
- a handle 3 When assembling the bat 1 B, a handle 3 is inserted into a hole 5 c ( FIG. 2 ) of the barrel 5 . At this time the thread 33 a does not interfere with the thread 39 of the first support hole 17 , and therefore, the assembling work is easy.
- the threads 41 and 33 a may have the same diameter, to simplify manufacturing.
- the third embodiment also provides the effect of the first embodiment.
- a ball-game bat according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 7 that is a sectional view illustrating a connector of the bat.
- the fourth embodiment is basically the same as the third embodiment of FIG. 6 , and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks, or the same reference marks plus “C”, or “C” instead of “B” to omit a repetition of explanations.
- the connector 7 C has a lock nut 33 b C provided with a tapered outer circumferential face 43 .
- the largest diameter of the tapered outer circumferential face 43 is equal to the outer diameter of a barrel joint 11 B ( FIG. 6 ) of a barrel 5 .
- the connector 7 C of FIG. 7 is before forming a bent 7 c ( FIG. 6 ) serving as an inner fastener.
- the tapered lock nut 33 b C suppresses a circumferential step between the barrel joint 11 B and a handle 3 ( FIG. 6 ), so that the external shape of the barrel 5 smoothly continues to the external shape of the handle 3 .
- the lock nut 33 b C of the fourth embodiment is applicable to the first and second embodiments.
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a connector of the bat.
- the fifth embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment of FIG. 3 , and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks or the same reference marks plus “D” to omit a repetition of explanations.
- the connector 7 D has a lock nut 33 b D that is integrally provided with a tapered cylinder 45 .
- the tapered cylinder 45 has a tapered outer circumferential face 45 a and a tapered inner circumferential face 45 b.
- the largest diameter of the tapered outer circumferential face 45 a is equal to the outer diameter of a barrel joint 11 ( FIG. 3 ) and the smallest diameter thereof is substantially equal to the outer diameter of a handle 3 ( FIG. 3 ) at a position where the tapered cylinder 45 engages with the handle 3 .
- the largest diameter r 1 of the tapered inner circumferential face 45 b is equal to the smallest diameter r 2 of a handle connection 25 of the connector 7 D.
- the taper of the tapered inner circumferential face 45 b is similar to the taper of the handle connection 25 of the connector 7 D although they have different diameters.
- the connector 7 D of FIG. 8 is before forming a bent 7 c ( FIG. 3 ).
- the tapered inner circumferential face 45 b of the lock nut 33 b D is continuous to the handle connection 25 of the connector 7 D, to receive the handle 3 and fit thereto.
- the tapered outer circumferential face 45 a suppresses a circumferential step between the barrel joint 11 and the handle 3 , to smoothly continue the external shapes of the barrel 5 and handle 3 .
- the tapered cylinder 45 receives bending force applied between the handle 3 and the barrel 5 , thereby improving joint strength between the handle 3 and the barrel 5 .
- the lock nut 33 b D of the fifth embodiment is applicable to the embodiments 2 and 3.
- the tapered inner circumferential face 45 b may be straight instead of tapered.
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a connector of the bat.
- the sixth embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment of FIG. 3 , and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks or the same reference marks plus “E” to omit a repetition of explanations.
- the connector 7 E has a lock nut 33 b provided with an integrated tapered cylinder 47 made of, for example, resin.
- the tapered cylinder 47 has a tapered outer circumferential face 47 a and a tapered inner circumferential face 47 b.
- the largest diameter of the tapered outer circumferential face 47 a is equal to the outer diameter of a barrel joint 11 ( FIG. 3 ) and the outer diameter of the lock nut 33 b.
- the smallest diameter thereof is substantially equal to the outer diameter of a handle 3 ( FIG. 3 ) at a position where the tapered cylinder 47 engages with the handle 3 .
- the largest diameter r 3 of the tapered inner circumferential face 47 b is equal to the smallest diameter r 4 of a handle connection 25 of the connector 7 E.
- the taper of the tapered inner circumferential face 47 b is the same as the taper of the handle connection 25 of the connector 7 E.
- the connector 7 E of FIG. 9 is before forming a bent 7 c ( FIG. 3 ).
- the tapered inner circumferential face 47 b of the lock nut 33 b is continuous to the handle connection 25 of the connector 7 E, to receive the handle 3 and fit thereto.
- the tapered outer circumferential face 47 a suppresses circumferential steps among the barrel joint 11 , lock nut 33 b, and handle 3 , to smoothly continue the external shapes of the barrel 5 , lock nut 33 b , and handle 3 .
- the tapered cylinder 47 receives bending force applied between the handle 3 and the barrel 5 , thereby improving joint strength between the handle 3 and the barrel 5 .
- the lock nut 33 b of the sixth embodiment is applicable to the embodiments 2 and 3.
- the tapered inner circumferential face 47 b may be straight instead of tapered.
- FIGS. 10 to 12 A ball-game bat according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12 in which FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating the bat with a cap and a knob omitted, FIG. 11 is an exploded sectional view illustrating the bat, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of the bat.
- the seventh embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment of FIG. 3 , and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks or the same reference marks plus “F” to omit a repetition of explanations.
- a handle 3 F of the bat IF is provided with a large-diameter handle joint 9 F that is integrally fixed to a handle connection 25 F formed around a lock nut 33 b of an outer fastener 33 F.
- the outer diameter of the handle joint 9 F is equal to the outer diameter of a barrel joint 11 of a barrel 5 F.
- the barrel 5 F has a straight pipe shape over a body part 5 a and the barrel joint 11 .
- the handle connection 25 F of the connector 7 F is also straight.
- the seventh embodiment smoothly continues the handle 3 F and barrel 5 without circumferential steps.
- taper pipe threads may be used to join the handle 3 and connector 7 together.
- the outer fastener 33 may be replaced with a part formed by caulking or spinning.
- the connector 7 may be integral with the handle 3 .
- the receiver 21 and stopper 31 may be tapered faces instead of the faces orthogonal to the center axis.
- the cap of the barrel 5 may be integral with the barrel 5 .
- the connector 7 and handle 3 are assembled to the barrel 5 through a top opening of the barrel 5 before forming the cap at the top. Thereafter, the top of the barrel 5 is formed into the cap by spinning.
- the barrel 5 ( 5 F) may be made of a single pipe, a multiple structure of two to four pipes inwardly layered with gaps among them, a multiple structure of two to three pipes outwardly layered with gaps among them, a foam containing structure, or a multilayered pipe having two to three layers without a gap.
- the handle 3 may be made of wood, aluminum alloy, FRP, or resin.
- the bat 1 may be made of wood (single wood, plywood, and the like), aluminum alloy (duralumin), FRP (C-FRP, G-FRP, and the like), scandium alloy, titanium alloy, and the like.
- the present invention is applicable to batting and hitting tools including ball-game bats and golf clubs.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
- Golf Clubs (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a batting tool and a ball-game bat.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- A ball-game bat such as a baseball bat generally includes a handle grasped by a player and a barrel to hit a ball.
- Examples of ball-game bats are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-312911 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 3529966. These bats have a handle and a barrel that are separately made and are joined together. By selecting materials, the bats have durability for repetition of hitting or light weight for high batting speed.
- The related arts form the bat by fitting a tapered outer diameter part of the handle into a tapered inner diameter part of the barrel and by fastening the handle and barrel to each other or bonding them together.
- The related arts have a weakness in joint strength between the handle and the barrel. When bending force is applied to the bat, a stress concentration occurs along the joint between the handle and the barrel, to loosen the coupling of the tapered outer and inner diameter parts, bend the bat at the joint, or cause a rattle. If the bat receives a longitudinal compressive shock, the tapered outer and inner diameter parts will come out of joint so that the handle comes into the barrel.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a bat having a sufficient joint strength between a handle and a barrel.
- In order to accomplish the object, an aspect of the present invention provides a batting tool including a handle having a handle joint, a barrel having a barrel joint and a barrel joint opening at an end of the barrel joint, and a connector connecting the handle joint and barrel joint together. The barrel joint has a first support hole formed proximal to the barrel joint opening, a second support hole formed distal to the barrel joint opening and having a larger diameter than the first support hole, and a receiver formed between the first and second support holes. The connector has a handle connection connected to the handle joint, a first barrel connection formed on an outer periphery of the connector and engaging with the first support hole, a second barrel connection formed on the outer periphery of the connector and engaging with the second support hole, a stopper formed between the first and second barrel connections, and an outer fastener engaging with a periphery of the barrel joint opening and being tightened to press the stopper and receiver to each other.
- According to this aspect of the present invention, bending force applied to the joint between the handle and the barrel is tenaciously received by the jointing between the first and second support holes of the barrel and the first and second barrel connections of the connector fixed to the handle, the firm contact between the receiver of the barrel and the stopper of the connector, and the engagement between the periphery of the barrel joint opening of the barrel and the outer fastener of the connector. The batting tool according to this aspect has an improved joint strength against bending force applied to the joint between the handle and the barrel.
- A longitudinal compressive shock applied to the batting tool is received by the attachment between the periphery of the barrel joint opening of the barrel and the outer fastener of the connector. Namely, the batting tool according to this aspect has an improved joint strength against a compressive shock applied to the bat.
-
FIG. 1 is a general view illustrating a ball-game bat according to a first embodiment of the present invention with a cap and a knob omitted; -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view partly illustrating the bat ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of the bat of Fig. I; -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of a ball-game bat according to a second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 5A is a side view illustrating a connector of the bat ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 5B is a 90-degree-turned view ofFIG. 5A ; -
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of a ball-game bat according to a third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional view illustrating a connector of a ball-game bat according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 8 is an exploded sectional view illustrating a connector of a ball-game bat according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 9 is an exploded sectional view illustrating a connector of a ball-game bat according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a ball-game bat according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention with a cap and a knob omitted; -
FIG. 11 is an exploded sectional view illustrating the bat ofFIG. 10 ; and -
FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of the bat ofFIG. 10 . - Ball-game bats having connectors to improve joint strength between a handle and a barrel according to embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.
- A ball-game bat according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 3 in whichFIG. 1 is a general view of the bat with a cap and a knob omitted,FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the bat, andFIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part of the bat. - The
bat 1 as a batting tool according to the first embodiment has ahandle 3 and abarrel 5. Thehandle 3 andbarrel 5 are joined together through aconnector 7. Thehandle 3 andbarrel 5 each are a hollow pipe and are optionally made of different materials or the same material. For example, thehandle 3 andbarrel 5 are made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum alloy, stainless steel, duralumin, FRP, scandium alloy, and titanium alloy. Instead, thehandle 3 may be made of FRP and thebarrel 5 may be made of aluminum alloy. - The
handle 3 has ahandle joint 9. Thebarrel 5 has abarrel joint 11 at which abarrel joint opening 13 is formed. Theconnector 7 is connected and fitted to thehandle joint 9, and through theconnector 7, thehandle joint 9 is fixed to thebarrel joint 11. - The
handle 3 has anend part 3 a having predetermined inner and outer diameters. Thehandle 3 gradually widens from an end of theend part 3 a toward thehandle joint 9. Accordingly, thehandle joint 9 has a widening shape. - The
barrel 5 has abody part 5 a on a front end side of thebarrel 5. Thebody part 5 a is a pipe having predetermined inner and outer diameters. Atapered part 5 b is formed adjoining thebody part 5 a that leads to thebarrel joint 11 in thehandle 3 side. A front end of thebody part 5 a has ahole 5 c for fitting a cap. - The
barrel joint 11 has afirst support hole 17, asecond support hole 19, and areceiver 21 on an inner periphery thereof. - The
first support hole 17 is proximal to the barrel joint opening 13 and has a predetermined inner diameter from thebarrel joint opening 13. Thefirst support hole 17 is concentric with thebarrel 5. Thesecond support hole 19 is on a deeper side with respect to thefirst support hole 17 and is distal to thebarrel joint opening 13. Thesecond support hole 19 has a larger diameter than thefirst support hole 17 and is concentric with thebarrel 5. Between thesecond support hole 19 and thetapered part 5 b, atapered guide hole 23 is formed. - The
receiver 21 is formed between the first and second support holes 17 and 19 and is a face orthogonal to an axis of the first and second support holes 17 and 19, i.e., an axis of thebarrel 5. - The barrel
joint opening 13 has anend face 13 a that is orthogonal to the axis of the first and second support holes 17 and 19, i.e., the axis of thebarrel 5. - The
connector 7 has a cylindrical shape and has ahandle connection 25, afirst barrel connection 27, asecond barrel connection 29, astopper 31, and anouter fastener 33. - The
handle connection 25 is formed on an inner periphery of theconnector 7 and is a tapered hole having an inner diameter to fit thehandle joint 9 of thehandle 3. An axial inner end of theconnector 7 has a bent 7 c that is formed by spinning. The bent 7 c functions as an inner fastener that axially engages with and pushes a front end of thehandle 3 so as to fit and fasten thehandle connection 25 to thehandle joint 9. This aligns the axis of thehandle 3 with the axis of theconnector 7 through the tapers. - The
first barrel connection 27 is formed on an outer periphery of theconnector 7 and has an outer diameter to radially engage with an inner periphery of thefirst support hole 17 and be tightly fitted into thefirst support hole 17 of thebarrel 5. Thefirst barrel connection 27 is concentric with thehandle connection 25. - The
second barrel connection 29 is formed on the outer periphery of theconnector 7 and has an outer diameter to radially engage with an inner periphery of thesecond support hole 19 and be tightly fitted into thesecond support hole 19 of thebarrel 5. Thesecond barrel connection 29 is concentric with thehandle connection 25. - The
stopper 31 is formed between the first andsecond barrel connections connector 7. Thestopper 31 is pressed to thereceiver 21 of thebarrel 5. - The
outer fastener 33 includes an outerexternal thread 33 a and alock nut 33 b. Thethread 33 a is formed along an outer end circumference of theconnector 7 that axially outwardly protrudes from the barreljoint opening 13 and is continuous to thefirst barrel connection 27. - The
lock nut 33 b has a fastening end face 33ba orthogonal to an axis of thelock nut 33 b. Thelock nut 33 b has an outer circumferential face whose diameter is equal to an outer diameter of the barrel joint 11 of thebarrel 5 and whose section is circular. Thelock nut 33 b axially engages with the end face 13 a that is a periphery of the barreljoint opening 13. Thelock nut 33 b is fastened to thethread 33 a so that the end face 33ba is axially pressed to the end face 13 a and so that thestopper 31 is axially pressed to thereceiver 21. Theouter fastener 33 may be replaced with caulking. - Joining the
handle 3 andbarrel 5 together will be explained. Theconnector 7 with thelock nut 33 b removed is fitted to thehandle joint 9 of thehandle 3 and the bent 7 c is formed by spinning. The bent 7 c serves as an inner fastener that axially pushes the front end of thehandle 3, thereby joining thehandle connection 25 and handle joint 9 together. - The
end part 3 a of thehandle 3 is inserted into thehole 5 c at the front end of thebarrel 5 and theconnector 7 is fitted into the barrel joint 11, so that the first andsecond barrel connections stopper 31 is pressed to thereceiver 21. - When inserting the
second barrel connection 29 into thesecond support hole 19, the taperedguide hole 23 makes the insertion easy. - The
lock nut 33 b is fastened to thethread 33 a of theconnector 7 that protrudes from the barreljoint opening 13 of thebarrel 5. Thelock nut 33 b is tightened up to the end face 13 a of the barreljoint opening 13, so that thestopper 31 is pressed to thereceiver 21. - Thereafter, a cap (not illustrated) is attached to the
hole 5 c at the top of thebarrel 5. In this way, thebat 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes thehandle 3 having the handle joint 9, thebarrel 5 having the barrel joint 11 and the barreljoint opening 13 at an end of the barrel joint 11, and theconnector 7 connecting thehandle joint 9 and barrel joint 11 together. The barrel joint 11 has thefirst support hole 17 formed proximal to the barreljoint opening 13, thesecond support hole 19 formed distal to the barreljoint opening 13 and having a larger diameter than thefirst support hole 17, and thereceiver 21 formed between the first and second support holes 17 and 19 orthogonal to the axis of theholes connector 7 has thehandle connection 25 connected to the handle joint 9, thefirst barrel connection 27 connected to thefirst support hole 17, thesecond barrel connection 29 connected to thesecond support hole 19, thestopper 31 formed between the first andsecond barrel connections connections outer fastener 33 having thethread 33 a andlock nut 33 b and attached to the periphery of the barreljoint opening 13, thethread 33 a andlock nut 33 b of theouter fastener 33 being fastened to each other to press thestopper 31 andreceiver 21 to each other. - According to the first embodiment, bending force applied between the
handle 3 and thebarrel 5 is received by the coupling of the first and second support holes 17 and 19 and first andsecond barrel connections receiver 21 and thestopper 31. The load bearing between thereceiver 21 and thestopper 31 is achieved when thereceiver 21 andstopper 31 lean to each other and circumferentially press each other due to the bending force. - If a longitudinal compressive shock is applied to the
bat 1, the end face 33ba of thelock nut 33 b is pressed to the end face 13 a of the barreljoint opening 13, to receive the shock. - In this way, the
bat 1 according to the first embodiment improves strength at the joint between thehandle 3 and thebarrel 5 against the bending force and longitudinal compressive shock applied to thebat 1. - The
receiver 21,stopper 31, end face 33ba, and end face 13 a are orthogonal to the axes of thehandle 3 andbarrel 5, and therefore, the axes of thehandle 3 andbarrel 5 never cross each other. This makes it easy to carry out the centering of thehandle 3 andbarrel 5. - The
barrel 5 has the cap (not illustrated), and therefore, any one of thebarrel 5 and handle 3 is replaceable with another. This is advantageous when thebarrel 5 or thehandle 3 is damaged, or when testing a different batting feeling with different material, or when changing the weight of thebat 1. - The
handle joint 9 of thehandle 3 has a tapered shape engaging with the tapered hole of thehandle connection 25 of theconnector 7. Theconnector 7 has the bent 7 c to press the front end of thehandle 3 so that thehandle connection 25 may tightly engage with thehandle joint 9. - Bending force applied between the
handle 3 and theconnector 7 and a longitudinal compressive shock are received by the taperedhandle joint 9 and handleconnection 25 and by the front end of thehandle 3 and bent 7 c. Thebat 1 according to the first embodiment, therefore, has improved strength at the joint between thehandle 3 and theconnector 7 against the bending force and longitudinal compressive shock applied to thebat 1. - The
outer fastener 33 has thethread 33 a formed on theconnector 7 and thelock nut 33 b fastened to thethread 33 a. When thelock nut 33 b is fastened to thethread 33 a at the barreljoint opening 13, thestopper 31 is pressed to thereceiver 21. Namely, the end face 33ba of thelock nut 33 b is tightly pressed to the end face 13 a of the barreljoint opening 13, to easily press thestopper 31 to thereceiver 21. - A ball-game bat according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to
FIGS. 4 , 5A, and 5B in whichFIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of the bat,FIG. 5A is a side view illustrating a connector of the bat, andFIG. 5B is a 90-degree-turned view ofFIG. 5A . The second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks or the same reference marks plus “A” to omit a repetition of explanations. - The
bat 1A according to the second embodiment includes aconnector 7A having aprojection 35. To engage with theprojection 35, arecess 37 is formed on afirst support hole 17 of a barrel joint 11A of abarrel 5. The engagingprojection 35 andrecess 37 prevent theconnector 7A andbarrel 5 from turning relative to each other. It is possible to form therecess 37 on theconnector 7A and theprojection 35 on the barrel joint 11A. - In this way, the second embodiment provides one of the barrel joint 11 A of the
barrel 5 and theconnector 7A with theprojection 35 and the other thereof with therecess 37, to prevent thebarrel 5 andconnector 7A from turning relative to each other. The number of the pair of theprojection 35 andrecess 37 may be two or more instead of one. - The second embodiment prevents a relative turn of the
barrel 5 andconnector 7A, thereby improving joint strength between them, or between thebarrel 5 and ahandle 3. In addition, the second embodiment provides the effect of the first embodiment. - A ball-game bat according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to
FIG. 6 that is a sectional view illustrating an essential part of the bat. The third embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks or the same reference marks plus “B” to omit a repetition of explanations. - According to the
bat 1B of the third embodiment, afirst support hole 17 of a barrel joint 11B of abarrel 5 has aninternal thread 39 that engages with an innerexternal thread 41 formed on afirst barrel connection 27B of aconnector 7B. Thethread 41 has a larger diameter than an outerexternal thread 33 a. - The
thread 41 is engaged with thethread 39 to press astopper 31 to areceiver 21 and alock nut 33 b is engaged with thethread 33 a, to provide an effect of double nuts. - When assembling the
bat 1B, ahandle 3 is inserted into ahole 5 c (FIG. 2 ) of thebarrel 5. At this time thethread 33 a does not interfere with thethread 39 of thefirst support hole 17, and therefore, the assembling work is easy. - The
threads - The third embodiment also provides the effect of the first embodiment. A ball-game bat according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to
FIG. 7 that is a sectional view illustrating a connector of the bat. The fourth embodiment is basically the same as the third embodiment ofFIG. 6 , and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks, or the same reference marks plus “C”, or “C” instead of “B” to omit a repetition of explanations. - According to the fourth embodiment, the connector 7C has a
lock nut 33 bC provided with a tapered outercircumferential face 43. The largest diameter of the tapered outercircumferential face 43 is equal to the outer diameter of a barrel joint 11B (FIG. 6 ) of abarrel 5. The connector 7C ofFIG. 7 is before forming a bent 7 c (FIG. 6 ) serving as an inner fastener. - The tapered
lock nut 33 bC suppresses a circumferential step between the barrel joint 11B and a handle 3 (FIG. 6 ), so that the external shape of thebarrel 5 smoothly continues to the external shape of thehandle 3. - The
lock nut 33 bC of the fourth embodiment is applicable to the first and second embodiments. - A ball-game bat according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to
FIG. 8 that is a sectional view illustrating a connector of the bat. The fifth embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment ofFIG. 3 , and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks or the same reference marks plus “D” to omit a repetition of explanations. - According to the fifth embodiment, the
connector 7D has alock nut 33 bD that is integrally provided with atapered cylinder 45. The taperedcylinder 45 has a tapered outercircumferential face 45 a and a tapered innercircumferential face 45 b. The largest diameter of the tapered outercircumferential face 45 a is equal to the outer diameter of a barrel joint 11 (FIG. 3 ) and the smallest diameter thereof is substantially equal to the outer diameter of a handle 3 (FIG. 3 ) at a position where the taperedcylinder 45 engages with thehandle 3. - The largest diameter r1 of the tapered inner
circumferential face 45 b is equal to the smallest diameter r2 of ahandle connection 25 of theconnector 7D. The taper of the tapered innercircumferential face 45 b is similar to the taper of thehandle connection 25 of theconnector 7D although they have different diameters. - The
connector 7D ofFIG. 8 is before forming a bent 7 c (FIG. 3 ). - The tapered inner
circumferential face 45 b of thelock nut 33 bD is continuous to thehandle connection 25 of theconnector 7D, to receive thehandle 3 and fit thereto. The tapered outercircumferential face 45 a suppresses a circumferential step between the barrel joint 11 and thehandle 3, to smoothly continue the external shapes of thebarrel 5 and handle 3. - The tapered
cylinder 45 receives bending force applied between thehandle 3 and thebarrel 5, thereby improving joint strength between thehandle 3 and thebarrel 5. - The
lock nut 33 bD of the fifth embodiment is applicable to theembodiments 2 and 3. The tapered innercircumferential face 45 b may be straight instead of tapered. - A ball-game bat according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to
FIG. 9 that is a sectional view illustrating a connector of the bat. The sixth embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment ofFIG. 3 , and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks or the same reference marks plus “E” to omit a repetition of explanations. - According to the sixth embodiment, the
connector 7E has alock nut 33 b provided with an integratedtapered cylinder 47 made of, for example, resin. The taperedcylinder 47 has a tapered outercircumferential face 47 a and a tapered innercircumferential face 47 b. The largest diameter of the tapered outercircumferential face 47 a is equal to the outer diameter of a barrel joint 11 (FIG. 3 ) and the outer diameter of thelock nut 33 b. The smallest diameter thereof is substantially equal to the outer diameter of a handle 3 (FIG. 3 ) at a position where the taperedcylinder 47 engages with thehandle 3. - The largest diameter r3 of the tapered inner
circumferential face 47 b is equal to the smallest diameter r4 of ahandle connection 25 of theconnector 7E. The taper of the tapered innercircumferential face 47 b is the same as the taper of thehandle connection 25 of theconnector 7E. - The
connector 7E ofFIG. 9 is before forming a bent 7 c (FIG. 3 ). The tapered innercircumferential face 47 b of thelock nut 33 b is continuous to thehandle connection 25 of theconnector 7E, to receive thehandle 3 and fit thereto. The tapered outercircumferential face 47 a suppresses circumferential steps among the barrel joint 11,lock nut 33 b, and handle 3, to smoothly continue the external shapes of thebarrel 5, locknut 33 b, and handle 3. - The tapered
cylinder 47 receives bending force applied between thehandle 3 and thebarrel 5, thereby improving joint strength between thehandle 3 and thebarrel 5. - The
lock nut 33 b of the sixth embodiment is applicable to theembodiments 2 and 3. The tapered innercircumferential face 47 b may be straight instead of tapered. - A ball-game bat according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to
FIGS. 10 to 12 in whichFIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating the bat with a cap and a knob omitted,FIG. 11 is an exploded sectional view illustrating the bat, andFIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an essential part of the bat. The seventh embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment ofFIG. 3 , and therefore, the same or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference marks or the same reference marks plus “F” to omit a repetition of explanations. - According to the seventh embodiment, a
handle 3F of the bat IF is provided with a large-diameter handle joint 9F that is integrally fixed to ahandle connection 25F formed around alock nut 33 b of an outer fastener 33F. The outer diameter of the handle joint 9F is equal to the outer diameter of a barrel joint 11 of abarrel 5F. - The
barrel 5F has a straight pipe shape over abody part 5 a and the barrel joint 11. Thehandle connection 25F of theconnector 7F is also straight. - The seventh embodiment smoothly continues the
handle 3F andbarrel 5 without circumferential steps. - Although the present invention has been described above by reference to certain embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Modifications and variations of the embodiments described above will occur to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings.
- For example, instead of the bent (inner fastener) 7 c formed by spinning, taper pipe threads may be used to join the
handle 3 andconnector 7 together. Theouter fastener 33 may be replaced with a part formed by caulking or spinning. - The
connector 7 may be integral with thehandle 3. - The
receiver 21 andstopper 31 may be tapered faces instead of the faces orthogonal to the center axis. - The cap of the
barrel 5 may be integral with thebarrel 5. In this case, theconnector 7 and handle 3 are assembled to thebarrel 5 through a top opening of thebarrel 5 before forming the cap at the top. Thereafter, the top of thebarrel 5 is formed into the cap by spinning. - The barrel 5 (5F) may be made of a single pipe, a multiple structure of two to four pipes inwardly layered with gaps among them, a multiple structure of two to three pipes outwardly layered with gaps among them, a foam containing structure, or a multilayered pipe having two to three layers without a gap.
- The
handle 3 may be made of wood, aluminum alloy, FRP, or resin. Thebat 1 may be made of wood (single wood, plywood, and the like), aluminum alloy (duralumin), FRP (C-FRP, G-FRP, and the like), scandium alloy, titanium alloy, and the like. - The present invention is applicable to batting and hitting tools including ball-game bats and golf clubs.
Claims (10)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2010003380A JP4748622B2 (en) | 2010-01-08 | 2010-01-08 | Hitting tool and ball bat |
JPP2010-003380 | 2010-01-08 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20110172038A1 true US20110172038A1 (en) | 2011-07-14 |
US8313397B2 US8313397B2 (en) | 2012-11-20 |
Family
ID=44258947
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/755,497 Expired - Fee Related US8313397B2 (en) | 2010-01-08 | 2010-04-07 | Batting tool and ball-game bat |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8313397B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4748622B2 (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9186562B1 (en) * | 2012-01-24 | 2015-11-17 | Plasticomp, Inc. | Sports gear achieving specified performance criteria and the corresponding methods of making |
US10220277B1 (en) | 2018-02-12 | 2019-03-05 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Double-barrel ball bats |
US10507367B2 (en) | 2016-05-27 | 2019-12-17 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel pivot joint |
US10987556B2 (en) | 2016-05-27 | 2021-04-27 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel pivot joint |
US11058934B2 (en) | 2019-04-22 | 2021-07-13 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with cantilevered insert |
US11325327B2 (en) | 2020-08-10 | 2022-05-10 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with one-piece multi-wall barrel portion |
US20220226708A1 (en) * | 2021-01-18 | 2022-07-21 | Baden Sports, Inc. | Vibration damping coupler for a ball bat |
US20230233913A1 (en) * | 2022-01-27 | 2023-07-27 | Mizuno Corporation | Bat |
US11890517B2 (en) | 2020-08-10 | 2024-02-06 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with one-piece multi-wall barrel portion |
US12005330B2 (en) | 2020-02-27 | 2024-06-11 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Double-barrel ball bats |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5362799B2 (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-12-11 | 美津濃株式会社 | Baseball or softball bat and method for manufacturing baseball or softball bat |
US8747262B1 (en) * | 2012-11-26 | 2014-06-10 | Hung-Wen Lin | Jointed bat |
TWM450401U (en) * | 2012-11-27 | 2013-04-11 | min-ru Zhong | Composite bat |
US20150065278A1 (en) * | 2013-08-28 | 2015-03-05 | Thu Van Nguyen | Multi-component bat and assembly process |
WO2016035782A1 (en) * | 2014-09-02 | 2016-03-10 | 豊治 深江 | Bat gripping structure and bat structure provided with same |
US9486680B2 (en) * | 2014-12-09 | 2016-11-08 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Variable stiffness striking implement |
US10646761B2 (en) | 2014-12-09 | 2020-05-12 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Variable stiffness striking implement |
US11013968B2 (en) | 2018-03-26 | 2021-05-25 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Adjustable flex rod connection for ball bats and other sports implements |
US10709946B2 (en) * | 2018-05-10 | 2020-07-14 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Ball bat with decoupled barrel |
WO2020060592A1 (en) * | 2018-09-17 | 2020-03-26 | Xiamen Pheasant Hi-Tech Alminum Co., Ltd. | Baseball/softball bat with outer locking system having shock dissipation characteristics |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6485382B1 (en) * | 2001-03-09 | 2002-11-26 | Sam Chen | Bat having fiber/resin handle and metal hitting member and method of making |
US20030158006A1 (en) * | 2001-01-18 | 2003-08-21 | Tribble James G. | Metal/wood bat connection assembly |
US20040224803A1 (en) * | 2003-05-08 | 2004-11-11 | Forsythe Paul D. | Reconfigurable ball bat and method |
US6878080B2 (en) * | 2003-09-17 | 2005-04-12 | Jung-Shih Chang | Combination bat for baseball |
US20060252586A1 (en) * | 2005-05-03 | 2006-11-09 | Nguyen Thu V | Sectional vibration damping, flexible bat |
US20060293130A1 (en) * | 2002-04-02 | 2006-12-28 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat handle with optimal damping |
US20070191156A1 (en) * | 2006-02-15 | 2007-08-16 | Thu Van Nguyen | A multi-component bat having threaded connection and assembly process |
US20070207882A1 (en) * | 2006-03-02 | 2007-09-06 | Thu Van Nguyen | A multi-component bat and assembly process |
US7311620B1 (en) * | 2006-01-17 | 2007-12-25 | Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. | Bat with interchangeable sections |
US7419446B2 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2008-09-02 | Thu Van Nguyen | Multi-component bat and assembly process |
US20090264230A1 (en) * | 2008-04-22 | 2009-10-22 | Maxime Thouin | Composite bat |
US7798926B1 (en) * | 2009-07-14 | 2010-09-21 | Joseph Hsu | Composite baseball bat |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3529966B2 (en) | 1997-01-13 | 2004-05-24 | ジャス・ディー・イーストン・インコーポレーテッド | Shock damping bat |
US6743127B2 (en) * | 2002-04-02 | 2004-06-01 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with composite handle |
CA2488084C (en) | 2004-04-28 | 2009-06-23 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat having a flexible handle |
US7572197B2 (en) * | 2006-01-03 | 2009-08-11 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Multi-piece ball bat connected via a flexible joint |
-
2010
- 2010-01-08 JP JP2010003380A patent/JP4748622B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2010-04-07 US US12/755,497 patent/US8313397B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030158006A1 (en) * | 2001-01-18 | 2003-08-21 | Tribble James G. | Metal/wood bat connection assembly |
US6485382B1 (en) * | 2001-03-09 | 2002-11-26 | Sam Chen | Bat having fiber/resin handle and metal hitting member and method of making |
US20060293130A1 (en) * | 2002-04-02 | 2006-12-28 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat handle with optimal damping |
US20040224803A1 (en) * | 2003-05-08 | 2004-11-11 | Forsythe Paul D. | Reconfigurable ball bat and method |
US6878080B2 (en) * | 2003-09-17 | 2005-04-12 | Jung-Shih Chang | Combination bat for baseball |
US20060252586A1 (en) * | 2005-05-03 | 2006-11-09 | Nguyen Thu V | Sectional vibration damping, flexible bat |
US7311620B1 (en) * | 2006-01-17 | 2007-12-25 | Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. | Bat with interchangeable sections |
US20070191156A1 (en) * | 2006-02-15 | 2007-08-16 | Thu Van Nguyen | A multi-component bat having threaded connection and assembly process |
US20070207882A1 (en) * | 2006-03-02 | 2007-09-06 | Thu Van Nguyen | A multi-component bat and assembly process |
US7419446B2 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2008-09-02 | Thu Van Nguyen | Multi-component bat and assembly process |
US20090264230A1 (en) * | 2008-04-22 | 2009-10-22 | Maxime Thouin | Composite bat |
US7798926B1 (en) * | 2009-07-14 | 2010-09-21 | Joseph Hsu | Composite baseball bat |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9186562B1 (en) * | 2012-01-24 | 2015-11-17 | Plasticomp, Inc. | Sports gear achieving specified performance criteria and the corresponding methods of making |
US10987556B2 (en) | 2016-05-27 | 2021-04-27 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel pivot joint |
US10507367B2 (en) | 2016-05-27 | 2019-12-17 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel pivot joint |
US11633652B2 (en) | 2016-05-27 | 2023-04-25 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel pivot joint |
US11660512B2 (en) | 2018-02-12 | 2023-05-30 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Double-barrel ball bats |
US10688358B2 (en) | 2018-02-12 | 2020-06-23 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Double-barrel ball bats |
US10220277B1 (en) | 2018-02-12 | 2019-03-05 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Double-barrel ball bats |
US11058934B2 (en) | 2019-04-22 | 2021-07-13 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with cantilevered insert |
US12005330B2 (en) | 2020-02-27 | 2024-06-11 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Double-barrel ball bats |
US11325327B2 (en) | 2020-08-10 | 2022-05-10 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with one-piece multi-wall barrel portion |
US11890517B2 (en) | 2020-08-10 | 2024-02-06 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with one-piece multi-wall barrel portion |
US20220226708A1 (en) * | 2021-01-18 | 2022-07-21 | Baden Sports, Inc. | Vibration damping coupler for a ball bat |
US20230233913A1 (en) * | 2022-01-27 | 2023-07-27 | Mizuno Corporation | Bat |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP4748622B2 (en) | 2011-08-17 |
US8313397B2 (en) | 2012-11-20 |
JP2011139856A (en) | 2011-07-21 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8313397B2 (en) | Batting tool and ball-game bat | |
US7438645B2 (en) | Golf club with tilt adjustable mechanism | |
US20180372140A1 (en) | Blind fastener with integrated anti-rotation feature, systems and methods | |
US7922599B2 (en) | Golf club | |
US7976401B2 (en) | Golf club and shaft replacing method | |
US8029383B2 (en) | Golf club | |
US9320947B2 (en) | Golf club | |
US8012037B2 (en) | Golf club with removable components | |
US20090275423A1 (en) | Golf club | |
US20080261716A1 (en) | Golf Club | |
CN108261739B (en) | Golf club | |
JP3185601U (en) | Combined ball bat | |
US20080146386A1 (en) | Coupling for attaching a lacrosse head to a lacrosse handle | |
US20090163286A1 (en) | Connecting structure of a shaft and a grip member of a golf club | |
JP2010057554A (en) | Golf club and shaft replacing method | |
AU2021409799A9 (en) | Interchangeable golf club grip with shaft attachment system | |
US20150273285A1 (en) | Universal Connector For Adjustable Golf Clubs | |
JP5250590B2 (en) | Golf club weight | |
US8545345B2 (en) | Golf club | |
US20150105175A1 (en) | Handle grip assembly for swing-type ball game equipment | |
US11167181B1 (en) | Golf club head and shaft connector | |
US6045467A (en) | Weldless knob for metal baseball and softball bats | |
US20200376350A9 (en) | Golf club and combining member of golf club shaft and golf club head | |
JP3140064U (en) | Joining structure of golf club shaft and grip | |
JP2003093551A (en) | Golf club and shaft thereof |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NHK SPRING CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NIPPON SHAFT CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:025973/0381 Effective date: 20110228 Owner name: NIPPON SHAFT CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WATARI, MAKOTO;SHIMOHIRA, KATSUMI;REEL/FRAME:025973/0405 Effective date: 20110224 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20201120 |